Hyundai's new Santa Fe is here – and while the mid-size SUV looks completely different, the price has stayed the same.

Starting at $36,990 (plus on-road costs), the edgier looking new Santa Fe is available in three trim levels – the entry-level Active, mid-range Elite and top-end Premium. All new Santa Fe models are all-wheel-drive, and all come with seven seats as standard.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

New Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Active is available with a 2.4-litre petrol engine producing 141kW/242Nm, with fuel use rated at 9.0L/100km. It's available with a choice of six-speed manual ($36,990) or six-speed automatic (adds $2000: $38,990).

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The Active can also be had with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel producing 145kW and 421Nm for the six-speed manual and 436Nm for the optional six-speed automatic. It's priced at $39,990 for the manual and $41,990 for the auto. Fuel use is rated at just 6.6L/100km for the manual diesel and 7.3L/100km for the auto.

The mid-range Elite model is only available with the turbo diesel automatic drivetrain, priced at $45,990. It adds 18-inch alloys, stainless steel scuff plates, folding heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, a 7-inch touch-screen media system with satnav and 10 speakers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, leather trim, a smart key with push-button start, climate control and a cooled glovebox.

The range-topping Highlander is priced at $49,990, and like the Elite, it's only available as a diesel automatic. Over the Elite it gains 19-inch alloys, a panoramic glass roof, xenon headlights, LED rear lights, auto-dimming side mirrors, electric adjustment for the front seats, and heated front and second-row seats.

As with all new Hyundais, the Santa Fe has been treated to an Australia-specific suspension and steering tune, with the steering also receiving the new "FlexSteer" variable steering-feel system as fitted to the new i30 hatchback.

Interior tricks include flat-folding 50:50 third-row seats and 40:20:40 middle-row seats that can slide fore and aft, and the second-row backrest can also be reclined in several stages.

Tow ratings for all manual Santa Fe models is rated at 2500kg, while the auto is cleared to tow up to 2000kg.

These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.

22 comments so far

You see, publicity works! Paste a few pictures, spin some smoke and behold! the sheep gather and put their collective Xs in the appropriate square. Hyundai and Captiva are both products of Korea, but Captiva doesn't get a gurnsey. No thought, no investigation, just listen to the salesman and walk in with your wallet open. Dumb.

Commenter

Fred Bloggs

Location

Castlemaine

Date and time

August 31, 2012, 9:07PM

Fred, there might be a reason behind all these votes. No, I do not drive a Hyundai and maybe never will, but it is excellent value for money, I think. Captiva's reliability past says it all. Future might be different, but very often first impressions last a long time.

Commenter

Milo

Location

Sydney

Date and time

September 01, 2012, 4:28PM

Are you high?

Commenter

c1ee

Location

Date and time

September 01, 2012, 9:44PM

Fred, BMW and Holden Astra are products of Germany too. What do you say about that?Captiva is made in the old Daewoo factory which is nowhere as good as Hyundai.

Commenter

Ad

Location

Date and time

September 01, 2012, 11:11PM

Have a look under the bonnet of both vehicles and you will see why. The captiva is primitive in comparision. Captiva is a rebadged Daewoo (a company with bad build quality and that went bankrupt) it isn't in the league of Hyundai. You can't judge the quality of a car purely on its country of origin

Commenter

fjh

Location

Date and time

September 02, 2012, 4:48PM

Actually, i would applaud the driver that forgets about the tacky and lack luster captiva. Its a rubbish car sold by Holden. I havent seen one decent thing said by reviewers. I think there is a big difference between Hyundai and the Daewoo built Captiva.

The difference between the 2 Korean companies is progression. Hyundai are improving there cars by leaps and bounds where the Holden Captiva is just adding gadgets and advertising it as an australian vehicle to make sales. I congratulate the buyer in this instance.

And please dont talk about Publicity! Know one beats Holden for that, they sell cars on the basis of 'Australian owned and built' and we all Know thats Bulls..t!

Commenter

Justincrdable

Location

SYD

Date and time

September 02, 2012, 6:32PM

Fred you make a good point , can't wait for the Opel Mokka to show up and hear the excuses fly when it's built in the same plant LOL

Commenter

Get the facts right

Location

Date and time

September 03, 2012, 11:18AM

chalk and cheese Fred,Two cars from two different companies, even my 'Holden friends' admit the Captiva is 'so/so'

Commenter

Seats & a Steering Wheel

Location

Date and time

September 03, 2012, 1:30PM

To cfee. No, not really, just 5' 10 1/2". Oh, bit difficult for you?. Well that's nearly 1791 mm, or if you're in the rag trade, 179 centimetres. And we're about 378 metres above sea level. To ad. Probably a good reason not to buy either a BMW or Astra.To fjh. That's exactly how to judge a car - where it's made.